Nuggets Food Briefs: VZD's update, S&B's and Ryan Parrott

After months of waiting, fans of beloved Western Avenue bar and restaurant VZDs might see light at the end of the tunnel. Chef Eric Smith said the business, which closed its doors in 2014, should reopen by the end of July.

VZDs, 4200 N. Western Ave., has undergone a lot of refurbishment, but Smith said the dividends promise to pay off for customers. Its long history as a retail space meant the bar was not ideally suited for restaurant use and needed upgrades to core systems, including electrics. Smith hopes the improvements will yield a more functional restaurant.

About 75 percent of the old menu remains, including burgers, chicken salad and blue plates specials. But by creating a Crown Heights neighborhood restaurant, Smith will incorporate several new, healthier menu options.

Thats what we want it to be, and thats what the people want it to be, he said, a day-in, day-out neighborhood restaurant.

However, an entirely new concept from Smith is going in the space next to VZDs. The Crown Room will be a 12-seat, one-table restaurant serving a tasting menu that will change monthly. The restaurant will employ three sommeliers, one each for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night services.

Burger charity

A new S&Bs Burger Joint will join the family this week, as the burgeoning chain opens a location in Midwest City on Friday.

Built inside the bones of a former Poblano Grill at 1909 S. Douglas Blvd., the newest S&Bs will be the restaurants ninth location (although only eight survive after the Norman branch burned in February).

Partner Shannon Roper said theyve received positive feedback from the community and on social media that people are excited to see an S&Bs near them.

Its a great location partially because of the base [Tinker Air Force Base], but its generally a heavy traffic area, he said. Theres lots of new housing and new developments going in, and its close to Choctaw.

To christen the new joint, the Midwest City S&Bs will have a cash donation-only soft opening Thursday with all proceeds going to the food bank.

The restaurant will seat 137 inside with a large covered patio out front.

Parrott  who made a name in Oklahoma City with concepts such as Iguana Grill, Local, Tamazul and Table One  was the acting chef de cuisine at Picasso before the title change. The new role means hell be in charge of the eaterys culinary experiences as well as the meatball food truck Ciao Wagon and the new Paseo restaurant Mesero Mesero, said co-owner Shaun Fiaccone.

Parrotts influence has brought a new focus on daily specials to Picasso, and Fiaccone said Parrot is poised to take the restaurant group into the future.

One stop on the way will be Mesero Mesero, a Mexican concept at NW 28th Street and Walker Avenue.

Even as we were developing the space, the idea of Mexican food kept popping up, he said.

The preponderance of great, local Mexican fare isnt intimidating to Fiaccone; its challenging.